Trump's Apology for Lewd Comments About Women Turns into Attack on Clintons

The denunciations of Donald Trump and his candidacy were swift after The Washington Postreleased raw audio and video of a lewd 2005 conversation between Donald Trump and Billy Bush, then an anchor on Access Hollywood, in which the Republican candidate described an attempt to seduce a married woman and suggested that he groped women. Within hours of the tape’s release, several Republicans issued statements distancing themselves from Trump and a number even un-endorsed the New York businessman. The intense backlash to the presidential hopeful’s decade-old remarks prompted Trump to issue a video response, and use two words with which he has an estranged relationship: “I apologize.” But Trump’s statement of regret quickly devolved into an attack on his rival and her husband.

“I’ve said and done things that I regret and the words released today on this more than a decade-old video are one of them. Anyone who knows me knows those words don’t reflect who I am,” Trump said in a 90-second video statement released early Saturday, before adding, “I said it, I was wrong and I apologize.” The G.O.P. nominee, however, was quick to shift from atonement to criticism. “I have said some foolish things, but there is a big difference between the words and actions of other people,” Trump said. “Bill Clinton has actually abused women and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed, and intimidated his victims,” he continued, turning to one of his campaign’s favorite defenses. On Friday, in his initial response to the story, Trump had also tried to deflect criticism onto his rival’s husband. He dismissed his remarks as “locker-room banter,” and alleged that “Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course,” in a statement to the Post.

In the two weeks since the first presidential debate, there's been much speculation among commentators as to whether or not Trump will bring up Bill Clinton’s infidelities during the candidate’s second meeting this Sunday. After what was generally considered a losing effort in the first debate, Trump touted the self-restraint it took to hold back on bringing them up. Earlier this week in an email exchange with the New York Post, Trump said he intends “to win this election on my policies for the future, not on Bill Clinton’s past.” It is unclear if the personal attacks will stay off-limits, after the former reality-TV star concluded his video apologia and attack on Bill’s character with, “We will discuss this more in the coming days. See you at the debate on Sunday.”

Attacking a woman for the behavior of her husband is arguably the worst route the crippled Trump campaign could take right now. Throughout the election, Trump has struggled to gain traction with female voters. The presidential hopeful has continuously had to defend his past behavior with women, and in recent weeks has weathered intense criticism for his treatment of former beauty queen Alicia Machado. On the heels of the tape’s release on Friday, pundits and critics have questioned whether it will be the final blow to Trump’s presidential bid—and justly so. It is hard to picture Trump in the White House after he was recorded saying that if you are “a star” you “can do anything” to women and “grab them by the p----.”

With Trump’s future in the race shaky, a number of high-profile Republicans are scrambling to distance themselves from the nominee. House Speaker Paul Ryanasked Trump not to attend a scheduled campaign event in Wisconsin on Saturday.Ryan said that the comments sickened him, adding “women are to be championed and revered, not objectified.” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell characterized Trump’s remarks as “repugnant, and unacceptable in any circumstance.” Republican National Committee chairman Reince Preibus said, “No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever,” according to Politico. All three, however, have stopped short of pulling their support of the candidate. Congressman Jason Chaffetz and Governor Gary Herbert, both from Utah, did take their criticism of Trump one step further and rescinded their endorsements. And some Republicans—including, but not limited to, Virginia Congresswoman Barabara Comstock, Utah Senator Mike Lee and Colorado Senator Mike Coffman—have called on Trump to step aside, and let his running mate Mike Pence lead the ticket, the Postreports.